The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

From Goodreads: Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts’, suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage.

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin, published as My Last Duchess in the UK, is a bit of a blend between historical fiction and romance. I quite enjoyed it, though I don’t know if it will be one that stick with me for very long. I, like a lot of other readers, picked it up because of the comparisons to Downton Abbey. If you’re a fan of the show, I think you’ll enjoy the book. It’s an excellent first novel, with some witty dialogue and a moody English atmosphere. The historical details seemed well researched and I quite liked Cora Cash (an overt, but fitting name) and loved to hate Ivo (though I wish he redeemed himself a bit more). If you’re looking for some fun, historical romance or a perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon, this book would make an excellent choice. The American Heiress is a solid debut; I will certainly checkout any subsequent works by Daisy Goodwin. Bottom line: 3.5/5.

Today’s recipe is for a drink (just ask Cora, the food was less than inspiring in England): Cantaloupe Lassi with Fresh Mint. It uses cantaloupe, yogurt, and mint – what a deliciously simple combination.